PESCHICI
Holiday Village Vieste
Camping Village in Puglia
Peschici is located about 15 km north from the Holiday Village, continuing on the coastal road. The village is located ninety meters above the sea level, on a cliff. If you come from north, following the state highway 89, the visual impact is breathtaking, especially if you arrive in the evening: the shape created by the lights of the town remind a silhouette of a huge white whale lying on the water. Plus, the houses with domed roof and whitewashed walls give an oriental touch that remind a Greek village. Visiting the Old Town, you will walk through the narrow cobbled alleys, adorned with pots of geraniums and basil, small windows, arches and small doors, a labyrinth of typical Mediterranean houses, some of which have been restored and converted into shops where you could treat yourself with an artisanal ice-cream, buy typical products or souvenirs.
THE CHURCH OF SANT’ELIA: is the Mother Church of Peschici, founded in about 1200 and named after the Patron Saint Elia. As soon as you enter the main door, you have the sight of a latin cross plan, a large triumphal arch, with a beautiful high altar and six chapels, two on the left side and four on the right side, added around the XVIII century. There are also three latin inscriptions inside the church, one located behind the main altar above the crucifix and the other two located in two of the chapels. The Patron Saint Elia is revered since 970 AD. and is celebrated on the days 19-20-21 of July. If you are visiting the Gargano in these days, don’t miss the Patronal Feast, so you can admire old popular traditions including the procession of the saint in the narrow streets of the town, and then the spectacular fireworks that are played on port at the end of the day, creating a magical effect on the water. They do it for two evenings in a row (late in the evening).
CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DEL SUFFRAGIO: Better known as the Church of Purgatory, it was founded in about the 19th century. Used in the past by Benedictine monks as an ossuary, today you can admire the beautiful bell tower with an adjoining clock and the remarkable fresco “ Paradise, Purgatory and Hell” on the ceiling.
THE CASTLE AND THE MUSEUM: With a short walk from Santa Maria del Suffragio, you can reach the Castle, that rises majestically from the cliff. Built by the Normans between the tenth and eleventh centuries, in order to defend these lands from Saracens and pirates raids. The first inhabitants were the monks of the Abbey of the Tremiti, then the Emperor Federico II adorned the castle with the construction of the splendid tower, called “Rocca Imperiale”. To appear more menacing and majestic at Turks’ eyes, the castle was further reinforced with a protective enclosure called the “Baronial enclosure”; from there, you have the opportunity to admire most part of the Garganic coast. Currently the ground floor has been restored and hosts a museum open to public and, near the exit, there is a wonderful terrace where you can enjoy a view of the Bay of Peschici.
ABBEY OF CALENA: ancient Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria di Calena.
The restaurants and trattorie are everywhere, from the New Town to the port and in the Old Town there are several restaurants obtained from the restoration of old houses, some of them dug into the rocks, others with breathtaking sea- views. You can enjoy the typical dishes of the “Peschiciana contadina” cuisine: try the “stuffed aubergines” and the orecchiette with broccoli, or the fresh fish and seafood, to finish with exquisite sweet delicacies, like the famous Garganic k’lustroli = Crustoli, a kind of pastry topped by fermented fig juice.
For pizza lovers, we recommend the “Paposcia”, the local, lighter version of calzone that is not deep fried, but cooked in the oven and served with a wide choice of toppers, savoury or sweet as you prefer!
In the “Purgatorio” square located in the historic center of the country and in the side streets there are various “wine bars” which offer live music in summer, transforming the ancient village into a sort of meeting place for everyone!
